This is a Blog about Our Hands of Fate. Unlike our Brains which think of ideas and concepts; our Eyes which visualise what is in front of us – it is our Hands that are the Instruments of Implementation.
Hands make our Dreams a Reality.
The Hand only has 27 bones, each playing a vital part to have a crucial hold on our lives – holding a loved one’s hand, holding a camera, a paint brush, a pen, a microphone, a rake, a stethoscope, a conductor’s baton, unfortunately even a negative destuctive weapon.
A Hand can bring happiness, give encouragement, lend support, giving a healing hug, inflict pain to others around you.
May your Hands be Vital Appendages of love, creativity, gladness, positivity and fun to others (family, friends and especially strangers).
Rock stars, when they belt out their songs on stage, use their hands to help paint the canvass of the song’s message. Case in point, check out Morrissey’s arsenal of emotional and expressive hand gestures in articulating his songs for his audience.
Below some of my emotional and expressive “Hands” images shot over the decades and my perception of their hands.
David LaChappelle (above image). He tattooed the name of his late boyfriend “LUIS” on his fingers to remember him fondly by.
Hands of achieving your creative calling and unique art style.
Elizabeth Choy (above image). I was sitting with this 94 year-old war heroine national treasure when I noticed her age-rich hands. I told her to hold that poise and went to my car to get my camera. I like how her age spots matched her pajamas.
Hands of hardiness, accomplishment and war-time hardship.
Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelets (above image). I was on a MRT train when I spotted an enthusiastic family with Taylor Swift friendship bracelets on their way to a Taylor Swift concert. I asked if I could take a pix of their decorated hands. They happily gathered around to where I was seated on the train.
Hands of enthusiastic tribal fun.
Kitaro (above image). Kitaro uses his hands a lot in his flowing Zen-like way while playing his array of musical instruments.
Hands of Zen fluidity, God-given talent, high-energy creativity and tireless curiosity to learn.
Kitaro Concert Pass (above image). Kitaro liked my image of him so much, he uses it for his concert passes, concert posters and announcements, official websites etc.
Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computers (above image). Hanging out at Hard Rock Cafe, Singapore.
Hands of endless, curious tinkering and invention, prankish fun, encouragement and support.
Brian Wilson, Beach Boys (above image). Our beloved “Hands On The Table” posed shot. “Brian is the iconic and legendary genius composer of evergreen songs like, “Good Vibrations” “Don’t Worry Baby”, “God Only Knows” etc.
Hands of complex song composition, musical guidance and studio genius.
Gene Simmons, Kiss (above image). In a split-second, Gene made me smile.
Hands of creative confidence, musical and business focus and mischieve.
Jim Marshall (above image). My shifu of rock photography. Thank you always for your kind words and encouragement, Leica Master.
Hands of defiance, confidence, encouragement and friendship.
Mick Rock (above image). Honoured to have hung out with the photographer who shot the music greats of the 70’s rock scene like Queen, David Bowie, T. Rex, Ozzy Osbourne, Lou Reed, Blondie, Syd Barrett, Motley Crue, Sex Pistols, Joan Jett, the Ramones, Talking Heads, Roxy Music and countless others.
Hands of youth, spontaneity and fun.
Carlos Santana (above image). I hung out this music icon who got his start at Woodstock several times back stage.
Hand of focus, contentment, persistence and stamina.
James Hetfield, Metallica (above image). I just had to take this light-hearted shot where the James on the poster seemed to give a slap and the real James Hetfield reacting.
Hands of resilience, music longevity and sometimes needing a deserving breather.
Scissors Sisters (above image). Ana Matronic gives a happy Jake Shears the dreaded “scissors” maneourve.
Hands of dominance and castrational precision.
Steve Vai (above image). An accomplished guitarist who’s played with the exacting demands of Frank Zappa. Here Steve is in his zen-like state taming his musical beast.
Hands of determination, tonal precision and guitar mastery.
Minoru Niihara, Loudness (above image). I have photographed Loudness many times, and each one is a sweat-pouring pleasure.
Hands of going the extra miles and enjoying it.
Bill Medley, Righteous Brothers (above image).
Hands of longevity and consistency.
Dame Olivia Newton-John (above image). It is hard to take a bad picture of Dame Olivia.
Hands of gratitude, graciousness, hope and positivity.
Jonathan Davis, Korn (above image).
Hands of hard-earned success, tenacity and emphatic connection.
Nicole Scherzinger (above image). I taught Nicole how to say “I love you” in Mandarin so she could say it to her Singapore fans in concert. I made her say it a few more times to me than necessary. After she said it on stage, she glanced at me standing by the side of the stage, I promptly gave Nicole a hearty thumbs up. She gave me an appreciative smile.
Hands of tireless purpose and requited love.
Brandon Boyd, Incubus (above image). Brandon is an accomplished photographer.
Hands of determination, self-belief and purpose.
James LaBrie, Dream Theater (above image).
Hands of emphasis, and no taking no for an answer.
Bono, U2 (above image). A candid moment of regrouping and reflection.
Hands of hope and healing.
Kenny G (above image). I have photographed Kenny G multiple times in concert and each one is refreshingly entertaining.
Hands of perpetual improvement and optimism.
Expressive Hands of Morrissey – 1 (above image).
Expressive Hands of Morrissey – 2 (above image).
Expressive Hands of Morrissey – 3 (above image).
Expressive Hands of Morrissey – 4 (above image).
Engelbert Humperdinck (above image).
Hands of self-belief, restraint and fighting spirit.
Jon Bon Jovi, Bon Jovi (above image). I call this image “Bond Jovi” because Jon resembles Daniel Craig in a fighting pose.
Hands of adventure (music and business). focus and agility.
Bono, U2 (above image).
Hands of long-travelled optimism and global level lobbying.
Lars Ulrich, Metallica (above image). The tireless backbeat of Metallica.
Hands of achieving childhood ambitions, overcoming obstacles and having deserving fun.
St. Vincent (above image). The confident Anne Erin Clark know who she is: St. Vincent, knows what she wants, what she needs and who gets to be let into her personal space.
Hands of relentless self-crafted destiny and destination.
David Coverdale, Whitesnake (above image). Rings are essential rock and roll stage accessories. We need chunky rings to make our day cool and funky.
Andy McKee (above image). A highly gifted fingerstyle guitar player from Topeka, Kansas, confidently and effortlessly tunes his guitar while singing and strumming on stage as if it’s part of the song performance.
Hands of relentless practicing and hard-earned precision, virtuoso and confidence.
Me and the 501st Garrison Clonetroopers (above image). A day by the beach.
Hands of a thankful recipient of God-given creative talents, multi-array of artistic outlets and awesome creative projects.
“Reaching For The Sun” (above image). Among the sea of raised hands, like in Life, only one stood out.
Hand of striving hard for your personal best always. There is no second place.
Anthony Keidis, Red Hot Chili Peppers (above image). Anthony always have fun on stage and is a delight to photograph.
Hands of not taking yourself seriously, no one does anyway. A smile is an instant vacation.
Remember there’s only 27 bones in each of our blessed Hand, make every bone count and may your Hands bring hope, fun, comfort and healing to other people’s lives!
